News

Box boundary change plan is opposed

More than 180 Box residents packed out the Selwyn Hall on Tuesday night, in opposition to proposed changes to the parish boundary with Corsham.

Box Parish Council has opposed a suggestion from Corsham Town Council that approximately one third of the eastern side of the parish be reclassified as part of the town, as it fears residents there would pay a greater council tax precept.

Parish council chairman Pauline Lyons said: “It was a very full hall, and he had an awful lot of questions.

“The large majority of people wish to stay within Box parish; they don’t want to move to the town, but now we have to wait now to see what the next stage is.”

The council estimates the area affected by the proposed change would include 448 homes, meaning a significant loss of its tax revenue.

Coun Lyons said: “It would be a big chunk, and it would also be an increase for people who would move into Corsham, as theirs is considerably higher.

“People were saying they feel part of Box, and that’s the community they want to be in.”

Corsham Town Council will submit its rationale for the change to Wiltshire Council by the end of the month, which will form a working party to analyse the plan. A final decision is then expected in the new year.

For further information about the proposal, and the council’s campaign, contact parish clerk Margaret Carey on (01225) 742356.